The sharp sword gleamed keenly under the sunlight.
In an instant, the atmosphere froze, and the knights of Astalion’s side were startled, reaching for their swords.
It was none other than the queen who stopped them.
“…Stop. Put away your swords.”
The knights hesitated. However, they did not immediately release their grips on their weapons, causing the queen to narrow her brows as she gazed at them.
Only then did the knights let go of their swords.
Bersia also sheathed her weapon.
Usher felt his heart pounding.
Even so, drawing a sword and blocking the way so abruptly could be a serious diplomatic issue.
However, that was only Usher’s perspective.
The queen, with a sorrowful smile, lowered her head toward Usher.
“I have committed a discourtesy. You must have been informed beforehand that the saintesses must maintain purity during this period.”
It was only then that Usher recalled the Holy Ritual.
There was a rule prohibiting guests from making physical contact with the saintesses.
Historically, there had been cases where foreign officials had approached the saintesses inappropriately, leading the religious order to enforce strict regulations on the matter.
Had she considered all of that? Or was it merely an emotional response?
Usher looked at Bersia, but her expression revealed little.
She merely pressed her lips together, maintaining a cold, impassive face.
As a knight, that was the proper stance. Silence was a virtue in protection.
Yet, in the end, it was up to Usher to smooth over the situation.
Letting out a short sigh internally, Usher gave a slight bow.
“Thank you for your understanding. Welcome, esteemed guests of Astalion.”
His tone was strictly professional.
And right after he lifted his head, he saw it.
“…Thank you for the hospitality.”
The queen, who resembled Bersia, was smiling sorrowfully.
Her wistful expression was enough to stir a painful ache in the hearts of those who saw it.
Thus ended their first meeting.
Leaving behind only a lingering sense of unease.
On the way back to their lodging, the atmosphere between Usher and Bersia was awkward.
Usher refrained from speaking, as he could not fully grasp Bersia’s thoughts.
It was at that moment that she broke the silence.
“You might have noticed, but I don’t have a good relationship with my family.”
“…I see.”
“To be precise, I despise them. Yes, that person is utterly loathsome to me.”
Her emotions were heavy.
Usher could do nothing but press his lips tightly together.
“But, in truth, there is someone else I truly resent.”
“May I ask who?”
“My father. A dead man.”
Usher let out a quiet sigh.
It was a story he already knew.
The current ruler, Hermion de Astalion, had merely taken the throne after the passing of her husband, the previous king.
Usher did not know much about the late king.
The only thing he was aware of was that the timing of his death coincided with the period when Bersia was chosen as a saintess.
Listening to her words, he couldn’t help but have a thought.
Perhaps the past she wished to keep hidden was connected to the king’s death.
And he was right.
“I killed him. He was someone who had to die.”
The truth was unbearably heavy.
Of course, it had to be—Bersia could not have been more than five or six years old at the time.
Usher looked at her with a hardened expression.
Yet, Bersia’s face revealed not the slightest trace of emotion.
“Do you know why I’m telling you this?”
“……”
“You will inevitably clash with the queen. There may come a time when you have to speak with her alone. You should have some prior knowledge.”
She let out a bitter smile.
“The reason I despise that woman.”
The emotions in her eyes were dark and heavy.
Like someone peering into a painful past, her gaze wavered with profound feelings.
She had said ‘children.’
That held a certain implication.
“The saintess’s siblings…”
Only one heir had been revealed—a crown prince who, at the time of the late king’s death, had still been in the queen’s womb.
Bersia had subtly hinted at a great deal.
If it was truly a five-year-old Bersia who killed the previous king, and if she had a sibling at that time,
Then the motive for the murder was likely revenge for her deceased sibling.
A long silence stretched between them.
Bersia’s lips moved as if she wanted to say something, only to close again repeatedly.
Usher waited for her to continue.
Finally, she asked,
“Are you disgusted?”
Usher stopped walking.
Bersia, having taken two more steps ahead, also halted.
Was that what she was worried about?
Indeed, Usher could understand that a past like hers was beyond anything he could imagine.
His own past had been tragic as well, but at least it had ended with a beautiful memory tainted by blood.
She was different. From what he had heard alone, every moment of her past had been soaked in blood.
It was impossible to fully understand something he had never experienced.
Yet, for that very reason, Usher could answer with certainty.
“I am not disgusted.”
His voice was unusually gentle.
And the warmth in his gaze reflected the same.
Bersia did not turn to look at him.
She kept her back to him, unmoving.
But Usher saw the slight tremble in her shoulders.
So he added,
“The only person I know is you, Saintess. If you did such a thing, I can only believe that you had a just reason.”
What can one do when the arm bends inward?
The words that he had not become disillusioned were sincere.
From the beginning, Usher had no reason to be disillusioned with her.
The Bersia he knew had a sharp tongue and was crude, but her actions were warm and noble enough to overshadow that.
She had a tender heart and was full of affection.
She wavered easily but did not break easily.
That was all he needed to know about Bersia.
“This is unnecessary worry. At least when it comes to dealing with me.”
Perhaps it was comforting. But he knew himself that painful memories were not wounds that could be healed with just a few words.
Usher approached her and gently took her hand. He stroked the back of it.
“I am always on your side, Saintess. So please trust me as well.”
His voice was nearly a whisper. Saying such embarrassing words still made his ears turn red.
Bersia slowly turned her head.
She locked eyes with Usher for a long while.
Eventually, a smile appeared on her face.
She looked more at ease than before.
“You know, even though I know you’ll say this, I still want to hear it every time?”
“I can reassure you as many times as you need.”
“I guess I was waiting for those words. I must have been.”
The shadow had not completely lifted.
Most likely, it wouldn’t disappear entirely until those guests from the Astalion royal family had left.
But Bersia did not want to wallow in gloom forever.
True to her nature, she showed a resolve to push forward somehow.
“You’re holding my hand quite naturally, aren’t you?”
Usher played along with her joke.
Just this once, as a special occasion.
“W-well, I haven’t been doing it much lately…”
As he spoke, he tapped the palm of Bersia’s hand with his index finger.
Bersia’s eyes widened.
Usher felt his face heat up instantly.
So he averted his gaze.
This kind of smooth talk still felt unfamiliar to him.
It was almost amazing how Bersia managed to say such things so effortlessly.
“Want to try it again?”
“…No, thank you.”
She gently withdrew her hand.
Then, urging her steps, she walked ahead.
He could sense Bersia striding toward him from behind.
Laughter followed like a shadow.
Usher fanned himself to shake off the heat.
The Holy Festival was just around the corner.
Although Usher’s daily routine had not changed much, it was easy to notice the unprecedented energy filling the entire church.
The biggest reason was the arrival of external guests.
Leaders from various nations had come, leading to an increase in events and discussions both inside and outside the church.
The guests mostly spent time with the cardinals.
Beyond that, they engaged in various meetings, including a grand council hosted by Pope Igor.
The same routine continued until the day before the Holy Festival, but Usher paid little attention to it.
As always, he simply focused on his own duties.
It was one such afternoon.
“Ah…”
In the church corridor, he ran into Queen Hermion.
Bersia had briefly stepped away for another matter.
It would be proper to greet her and pass by.
Usher gave a short nod.
Just as he was about to walk past—
“May I speak with you for a moment?”
She did not commit the discourtesy of physically stopping him.
She acted as though she remembered the past.
Usher felt troubled.
But he couldn’t refuse such a request.
Right now, Usher was serving the church as a saintess, and the queen was an honored guest of the church.
“…I would appreciate it if you could be mindful not to take up too much of my time.”
At those words, relief and joy appeared on the queen’s face.
It was an expression that felt burdensome.